Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Needs Volunteers

Paul Miller, executive Director of  D.A. Blodgett's Big Brothers Big Sisters program was the special speaker at Tuesday's meeting of  Comstock Park Community Outreach.  D.A. Blodgett - St. John’s started the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program in 1965 serving all of Kent County and the eastern region of Ottawa County.

Locally, there are currently roughly 350 children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister mentor.

According to its website, Big Brothers Big Sisters is a nationally recognized mentoring program, matching children from the ages of 5 to 17, usually living in a single-parent home. These children are normal kids, but may experience some difficulty in school, some inadequate social skills, and limited opportunity to develop their interests.

Big Brothers Big Sisters recruits, assesses, screens, and trains Big Brother and Big Sister applicants. Little Brother and Little Sister applicants and their families are assessed as well. Approved Big Brothers and Big Sisters are matched to waiting, assessed Little Brothers and Little Sisters with the goal of maintaining each match for at least one year.

As a Big Brother or Big Sister, you:
• need to be are least 18 years old

• need to spend 1-3 hours a week with a child

• are supported by the social worker and parent

• might be single, married, a parent, employed or retired

• get to have a positive impact on a child

• get a fun break from a busy schedule

For more information or to become a Big Brother or Big Sister, please call 616-451-2021 or to email click here.

Comstock Park Community Outreach is a coalition of over local 30 business, government, church and service organizations collaborating with each other in an effort to match available resources with the needs of our local community. Visit their website here.